K City, backstage at the Hero Dome Stadium.
The deafening warm-up music and the frantic screams of fans were blocked by the thick soundproof door.
In contrast, in the slightly quieter dressing room, Sweet Mask had just finished his concert rehearsal and was resting with his eyes closed.
He was dressed in a magnificent performance costume, and his impeccably handsome face, like a divine sculpture, was perfectly unearthly under the lights.
An assistant scurried in and respectfully reported, "Mask-kun, a group of men in black suits are here to visit. They claim to be staff from the Hero Association headquarters."
"People from the Association specifically came all the way to K City to find me?"
Sweet Mask opened his eyes, a hint of doubt and impatience flashing through them, then nodded, "Let them in."
The assistant quickly left and, before long, led a team of suit-clad men, led by a tall, blond-haired, large-nosed man, into the room.
"Hmm, Sitch?"
Upon seeing that Sitch had personally led the team, Sweet Mask waved for all the staff to withdraw.
He did not stand up, but his tone remained elegant as he smiled, "Thank you for coming in person, Chief. Has something happened that could shake the very existence of humanity?"
"Mask-kun, you jest…" Sitch wiped the sweat from his forehead. Facing this A-Class Rank 1 hero, even though he had long held a high position, he still felt an immense pressure.
Gesturing to the blond, ponytail-wearing female secretary behind him to hand over a tablet, Sitch said, "It's like this, Mask-kun. The Association's higher-ups are currently discussing a proposal. It's of great importance, and we… would like to hear your opinion."
"Oh?"
Sweet Mask took the tablet, his fingertip gliding across the screen, and a bolded title came into view.
"Proposal regarding the special recruitment of 'Han Sen' to become an S-Class Hero…"
Upon seeing this name, a barely perceptible surprise appeared on Sweet Mask's handsome face.
In his mind, he involuntarily recalled the scene on J City beach where that man had annihilated an ugly monster with a single punch.
That composure, that pure to the extreme power, and that… handsome face that was in no way inferior to his own.
— Han Sen… Handsome…!
Sitch noticed the change in his expression and quickly explained, "According to the intelligence we have, Mr. Han Sen possesses undeniable S-Class strength."
"Recently, multiple Demon-level, and even suspected Dragon-level, disasters have all been resolved by him alone."
"The Association believes that we must do our utmost to absorb such a powerful combatant."
Sweet Mask did not pay attention to Sitch's explanation, the images from their previous encounter repeatedly playing in his mind.
What he saw was not just Han Sen's strength.
It was a composure born of absolute confidence, an elegance that elevated violence to art.
That power was pure, direct, and irresistible, as if it were the very embodiment of the concept of "justice."
— This is… how a hero should be!
(Han Sen: …It's just bullying a weaker opponent, no need to exaggerate.)
-_-|||
"Sitch," Sweet Mask put down the tablet, his voice as elegant and magnetic as ever, "You know, I always have very high standards for S-Class Heroes."
"I will never allow any flawed products that tarnish the name of 'hero' to mix among humanity's top combat forces."
"I understand." Sitch nodded in comprehension, though his heart was pounding a bit. "That's why the Association hopes to hear your opinion. If you think it's unsuitable, we will re-evaluate…"
Sweet Mask's slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, his gaze deep.
"If I were to reject a candidate with the potential to become a true hero simply because I am about to conduct a review of the S-Class, that is not my intention."
He changed his tone, his eyes sparkling, "What the Hero Association needs is not a group of brutes who merely possess strength, but heroes who can protect the populace and bring hope to the world."
"Then Mask-kun, do you mean…"
Realizing the implied meaning in the other party's words, Sitch's tone couldn't help but reveal a hint of surprise.
"I approve of this special recruitment plan."
"That's great!" Sitch let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank you for your support! If Mask-kun needs to personally review him, I will arrange your meeting with the new S-Class as soon as possible…"
"No need for special arrangements." Sweet Mask raised a hand to interrupt him, his back to Sitch, his voice ethereal, "If he truly is the kind of hero we hope for, we will always have a chance to meet."
"Before that, I will observe him in my own way."
"I understand."
As Sitch and the others said their goodbyes and left, Sweet Mask's gaze was lost in thought, his mind drifting far away.
— Will this man be the existence I have been searching for, the one who can bear the name of "perfect hero"?
…
…
Ten kilometers south of D City, in the deep mountains, a small private research institute was quietly nestled among the forest.
"Fukegao Research Institute, this is it."
Two figures, one tall and one short, walked through the forest. The tall one was naturally Han Sen, while Dr. Genus, beside him, glided steadily on his hovering skateboard, suspended beside Han Sen.
The silver streamlined board body, coupled with the azure energy lights, looked extremely high-tech and very cool.
"Boss, I've heard of this Fukegao. He does possess some talent."
Dr. Genus habitually pushed up his glasses and reminded him, "Because his talent isn't recognized by the mainstream scientific community, his ideology has become extremely twisted. He has probably developed strong anti-social tendencies, so recruiting him won't be easy."
"Speaking of anti-social…"
Han Sen gave a strange look at the evil, wild, and flamboyant Dr. Genus beside him, his tone peculiar, "Doctor, wasn't your original idea of eliminating all old humans, and only allowing evolved new humans to survive and reproduce, even more anti-social?"
"And now we're cooperating quite happily, aren't we?"
Dr. Genus was instantly speechless: "…"
Qr2
He subconsciously pushed up his glasses: "I merely deny those ignorant and foolish people who are unworthy of continuing their genes. Besides, you, sir, have shown me a completely new direction for the possible evolution of new humans, and my ideology has completely transformed."
Han Sen shrugged and stepped towards the research institute hidden by the mountain forest: "Alright, alright, if you have time, I'll let you take a shot for research."
Behind him, Dr. Genus's eyes flashed with intense light, and his whole body trembled: "Really, Boss?!"
"Of course," Han Sen's voice drifted from ahead, "But the premise is, you have to find a way to break through my defenses."
Dr. Genus: "…"
゜(´＾｀)゜
…
…
"Finally… finally close to success!! Heh heh…"
"Heh heh heh… Hahaha… Heh heh heh heh—!!"
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